My oldest three children were horrifically abused when small. They spent their childhoods trying to come to terms with what happened. They spent their adolescent years pretending they were “normal” One self medicated and was very volatile. One denied ever being harmed and looked to the media to tell her how “normal” looked. One vacillated from one to the other. It was hard knowing how to raise them. The internet was in it’s infancy. Information and support was hard to come by. We had some interesting times.
They are all grown up now with families of their own. Perhaps they will never reach the pinnacles of success some think they should. They might have if they didn’t spend their formative years learning to deal with their pain. That took an enormous amount of energy. Energy most children use for other things. But you know what? I believe they are all successful.They are all successfully parenting their children and paying their bills. The are hard working and empathetic. They are children who have made their mother proud.
When I see my grandchildren it helps keep everything in perspective.
For this is the generation the abuse has stopped. It hasn’t gone forward to effect their children. For this I am eternally grateful. It was my prayer through all the hard years.
I am thankful to see it answered.